Character concept-wise for the alchemist, Donnchad was born to a prosperous Brehon family in Thomond, and sent to Bologna to study canon law. There he was recruited by a circle of Learned Magicians and was initiated into their alchemy. Restless with pure scholarship, he joined the Hospitallers as a Confrere, putting his alchemy to practical use protecting his brothers-in-arms. Mount Tabor (1217) shattered his idealism about the crusading cause, and on returning to Ireland he again watched the Order turn its charitable mission into a weapon of the Anglo-Norman conquest. He left the Hospitallers, searching for a place where his knowledge and abilities could find better use.
Any thoughts for how/why an individual with this background could form a connection with Ciara? Maybe he somehow learned of Hermetic Longevity Rituals, and Ciara's expertise, and offered his alchemy skills in return for learning more about it? Not that he can actually do something with that knowledge. Also, I've started detailing more of his background and his design over here. Is it weird to use the same name as someone in her background? I just saw it after rereading her development thread.